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Retail Assistant Job Description

What does a Retail Assistant do?

A Retail Assistant works in the retail industry, usually on the shop floor of retail stores. These retail sector workers report to the shop manager and are responsible for selling products or services, handling customer questions and complaints, processing sales, and accepting stock deliveries. A Retail Assistant requires confidence and good communication skills.

Our Retail Assistant job description includes the Retail Assistant responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Retail Assistant Example


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If you need an example job description for a Retail Assistant download the one below, alternatively we have many other Retail job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Retail Assistant do?

Retail Assistant Role

Our organisation is hiring a Retail Assistant to join our team and sell our products and services. In this role, you will work within our retail outlet and be responsible for presenting products, promoting features and benefits, and processing sales thru our POS system. You will assist customers in making buying decisions, handle enquires and complaints, and maintain excellent customer service standards at all times. The ideal individual will have a well-rounded skill set, confidence, empathy, patience, and excellent communication and sales skills.

Retail Assistant Duties

  • Approach customers and sell products
  • Process customer payments and refunds
  • Maintain window displays and signage
  • Resolve customer enquiries and complaints
  • Ensure products are presentable and clean
  • Receive deliveries and conduct stock cheques
  • Be aware of shoplifting and payment or identity fraud

Retail Assistant Requirements

  • Computer literacy and familiarity with POS systems
  • Good numerical and verbal communication skills
  • An engaging and friendly personality
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Physical fitness, the ability to stand for long periods, and move stock
  • Punctuality and excellent timekeeping

Retail Assistant Qualifications

The education and qualifications of a Retail Assistant might include the following:

  • At least two GCSEs, including English and Maths

Retail Assistant Desired Experience

The relevant experience of a Retail Assistant might include working as a sales assistant, shop assistant, or customer services. Experience in these roles indicates the candidate has developed their retail skills, sales skills, problem-solving skills, and customer service skills and has a professional manner.

Retail Assistant Training

Possible training of an excellent Retail Assistant candidate might include:

  • Retail Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Retail Skills
  • Level 3 Diploma in Retail Skills Sales Professional

How to write a Retail Assistant Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Retail Assistant Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Retail Assistant Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Retail Assistant Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Retail Assistant

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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